Whittle /(?)/

1. A grayish, coarse double blanket worn by countrywomen, in the west of England, over the shoulders, like a cloak or shawl.

1. A knife; esp., a pocket, sheath, or clasp knife.

   He wore a Sheffield whittle in his hose.

imp. & p. p. Whittled; p. pr. & vb. n. Whittling

1. To pare or cut off the surface of with a small knife; to cut or shape, as a piece of wood held in the hand, with a clasp knife or pocketknife.
2. To edge; to sharpen; to render eager or excited; esp., to excite with liquor; to inebriate. [Obs.]

   “In vino veritas.” When men are well whittled, their tongues run at random.

1. To cut or shape a piece of wood with am small knife; to cut up a piece of wood with a knife.

   Dexterity with a pocketknife is a part of a Nantucket education; but I am inclined to think the propensity is national. Americans must and will whittle.